Robin Williams 1951-2014

Robin Williams dead at 63

Williams, the Academy Award winner and comic supernova whose explosions of pop culture riffs and impressions dazzled audiences for decades and made him a gleamy-eyed laureate for the Information Age, died Aug. 11, 2014, in an apparent suicide. He was 63.

1978

This 1978 file photo originally released by ABC shows actor Robin Williams on the set of ABCs "Mork and Mindy."

From his breakthrough in the late 1970s as the alien in the hit TV show "Mork and Mindy," through his standup act and such films as "Good Morning, Vietnam," the short, barrel-chested Williams ranted and shouted as if just sprung from solitary confinement. Loud, fast, manic, he parodied everyone from John Wayne to Keith Richards, impersonating a Russian immigrant as easily as a pack of Nazi attack dogs.

Credit: AP Photo/ABC

"Dead Poets Society"

Robin Williams in a scene from the 1989 film "Dead Poets Society." He earned an Oscar nomination for playing an English teacher who inspires his students to sieze the day through his teaching of poetry.

"Aladdin"

"Mrs. Doubtfire"

Robin Williams played a voice actor and devoted dad who dresses up as an elderly British nanny to spend more time with his children following a bitter divorce in the 1993 film "Mrs. Doubtfire."

Credit: 20th Century Fox

"Good Will Hunting"

Robin Williams and Matt Damon in a scene from "Good Will Hunting" (1997). Williams won a best supporting actor Oscar for his role in the film as a therapist who helps a brilliant janitor at M.I.T. (Damon) find direction in his life.

Credit: Miramax Films

2002

Robin Williams performs in front of a crowd of 2,500 during a brief visit to Incirlik Air Base on Oct. 14, 2002, in Turkey. Williams met with forward-deployed 39th Wing personnel and family members supporting Operations Northern Watch and Enduring Freedom.

Credit: U.S. Air Force/Vincent A. Parker/Getty Images

2007

Actor and comedian Robin Williams poses to promote his film, "License To Wed" in Santa Monica, Calif., on June 15, 2007.

Credit: AP Photo/Reed Saxon

2007

Robin Williams performing at the NY Comedy Festival Event "Stand Up for Heroes: A Benefit for the Bob Woodruff Family Fund," in New York on Nov. 7, 2007.

Credit: AP Photo/Evan Agostini

2008

Robin Williams holds his Oscar high backstage at the 70th Academy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles after winning Best Supporting Actor for "Good Will Hunting" on March 23, 1998.

Credit: AP Photo/Reed Saxon

2008

Robin Williams is seen on stage at the "Idol Gives Back" fundraising special of "American Idol" in Los Angeles on April 6, 2008.

Credit: AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

2010

Robin Williams appears on stage at Comedy Central's "Night Of Too Many Stars: An Overbooked Concert For Autism Education" at the Beacon Theatre in New York, on Oct. 2, 2010.

Credit: AP Photo/Charles Sykes

2010

Robin Williams and wife Susan Schneider arrive during the 82nd Academy Awards on March 7, 2010, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles.

Credit: AP Photo/Vince Bucci

1986

Actor Robin Williams, left, in character as ex-Chicago fireman Jack Moniker poses with actress and model Twiggy, also in character for the comedy Club Paradise, 1986.

2012

Robin Williams appears onstage at The 2012 Comedy Awards in New York on April 28, 2012.

Credit: AP Photo/Charles Sykes

1979

Robin Williams dons a Broncos' Pony Express cheerleader outfit and joins the girls in filming an episode for the television show "Mork & Mindy" at Denver's Mile High Stadium, Nov. 12, 1979.

Credit: AP

"The Crazy Ones"

Robin Williams and Sarah Michelle Gellar in a scene from the CBS comedy "The Crazy Ones."

Credit: CBS

2013

Robin Williams speaks onstage during "The Crazy Ones" panel discussion at the CBS, Showtime and The CW portion of the 2013 Summer Television Critics Association tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on July 29, 2013, in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Credit: Getty Images

1984

Robin Williams, center, takes time out from rehearsal at NBC's Saturday Night Live with cast members Eddie Murphy, left, and Joe Piscopo, Feb. 10, 1984.

Credit: AP Photo/Suzanne Vlamis

1998

Actor Robin Williams looks toward photographers while dipping his hands in wet cement at the Mann's Chinese Theatre in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles Tuesday, Dec. 22, 1998. Williams wears a red nose which he wore in his new movie "Patch Adams." (AP Photo/Michael Caulfield)

Credit: AP Photo/Michael Caulfield

"The Birdcage"

Robin
Williams starred alongside Gene Hackman and Nathan Lane in 1996's "The
Birdcage" about a gay cabaret owner and his drag queen companion agree to
put up a false straight front so that their son can introduce them to his
fiancee's right-wing moralistic parents.

Credit: MGM

1999

Robin Williams celebrates with doubles partner Pete Sampras after hitting a winning volley past Andre Agassi at the University of California-Los Angeles July 26, 1999. Sampras and Williams played Agassi and US comedian Billy Crystal in a 15-minute charity match which opened the 8th annual Mercedes-Benz Cup. AFP PHOTO/Lucy NICHOLSON/ln (Photo credit should read LUCY NICHOLSON/AFP/Getty Images)

Credit: AFP/Getty Images

2011

Robin Williams presents the award for Book of a Musical during the 65th annual Tony Awards, June 12, 2011, in New York.

Credit: AP Photo/Jeff Christensen

2010

Robin Williams entertains troops during a USO, show at the U.S. embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, Dec. 17, 2010.

Credit: AP Photo/Altaf Qadri

2000

Robin Williams performs the song "Blame Canada", a song nominated for Best Original Song, during the 72nd Academy Awards, March 26, 2000 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. AFP PHOTO/Timothy A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)

Credit: AFP/Getty Images

1979

Actor Robin Williams and Actress Pam Dawber on the set of ABC's "Mork and Mindy," January 1979.

Credit: AP Photo/ABC

2014

This is one
of the last photos Robin Williams posted on Instagram, coinciding with his birthday on July 21, 2014.

The caption
read: "Happy Birthday to me! A visit from one of my favorite leading
ladies, Crystal."